Abyss Diana Phi + A&K Kann Cube + New DSD flat transfer of Art Blakey's A Night in Tunisia from Acoustic Sounds = Sonic Bliss. Highly recommended. You can both feel the instruments and how they were charging the space in Rudy's temple of sound.

I don't suggest using the 1266 as a mobile, or even transportable can, since they aren't terribly stable while moving your head. They're really intended for stationary listening. If you want the Abyss sound on the go though I'd suggest looking at the Diana Phi. They can give you 90%+ of the...

Thanks for that! About aligns with my expectations except for the 5kHz hole, though I may not have noticed it as much since the rest of my system tilts a little toward the brighter side.

Similar thoughts over here. The Diana series are the first portables I've seen that really give a full taste of a desktop setup. Listening to some 80yr old Count Basie and Lester Young recordings from Mosaic on my Kann Cube and Diana Phis and I can't get over how real even recordings this old...

If you're top priority is top-end sparkle, I think you need to take a slightly different tack than most people are suggesting. I think the 1266 TC is a solid option for you (I'm someone who enjoys the brightness of the LCD-XC), but only if you play to it's treble in the rest of your system. I'd...

I'd be interested. I could bring the Abyss' and the LCD-XC with the GS-X Mk2 and Kann Cube. I may even haul out and set up my turntable rig.

I have the 1266 TC and Diana Phi. I'd say the Diana is close, and how close it is depends on your priorities. Tonality is nearly the same between them. Transient resolve and detail retrieval is slightly, but noticeably, better on the big 1266. Impact and physicality is suprisingly similar...

Some long overdue initial thoughts on my Diana Phi: Wow, just wow. The Diana Phi +AK Cube is 80%+ of my full vinyl rig with the TC. I wasn't expecting that. It's probably closer to 90%+ if I discount soundstage size. Tonality is exactly the same, neutral but energetic throughout. Transient...

Sounds like you want an Abyss with a generous wattage behind it. Planar bass detail/extension with DD impact. Addictive stuff, I'd recommend an audition.

It does if you side-load the APK version of the app. I use a side-loaded Qobuz APK and offline mode works.

Astell and Kern Kann Cube, it's what it was made for. Lovely pairing too, it makes me not miss my home rig as much when I'm at work.

I think this calls for a new series of photos: LCD-XCs on transit! My humble addition:

Not for me personally. I bought my 1266 CC close enough to the TC's release that they comped my upgrade. I'm getting TCs back tomorrow.

It was an extra $1k for the custom color. I imagine it would cost the same for the regular Diana. Certainly not cost effective, but I'm celebrating my first engineering job so I felt like splashing some cash.

Just ordered a custom-color Diana Phi in purple with black leather. Can't wait to show-off some photos when I get it in 2-3wks! I'm hoping that it should be the perfect companion for my new Kann Cube.